Espaço entre espaços. Da natureza, Homem e arquitetura

Partindo do ponto 0, onde o espaço natural e a condição física formulam as circunstâncias inexoráveis à existência do ser físico, cresce no Homem o desejo de agir neste meio e de ver satisfeitas as necessidades que surgem da sua condição de indivíduo físico e metafísico. Neste sentido, o ser humano recorre ao meio artificial e encontra na construção do espaço a resposta à sua forma de ser no mundo1. Motiva-nos perceber que espaço é este; em que conjunturas surge, como é que o Homem o apreende e experiencia e como é entendido e praticado o ato da sua construção. Recorrendo a seis autores distintos, entre eles arquitetos, professores e críticos - Juhani Pallasmaa, Luiz Santamaria, Herman Hertzberger, Jacques Lucan, Hans Van der Laan e Rudolf Arnheim -, evoca-se para este estudo a vivência da arquitetura como experiência espacial e existencial, a perceção da matéria física e simbólica e as problemáticas do ofício de arquitetura e do ensino/aprendizagem da disciplina como um sistema/método. A armação teórica é, por conseguinte, feita na deambulação entre os seis autores, as atuais inquietações consequentes dos últimos anos enquanto estudante de arquitetura e a motivação (ou inocência) de encarar a arquitetura como uma disciplina capaz de provocar no Homem a consciência de existir e habitar o mundo.Starting from point zero, where the natural space and the physical condition formulate the inexorable circumstances for the physical being's existence, the human desire to act in this environment and to satisfy the needs that arise from the physical and metaphysical individual condition grows. In this sense, the human being resorts to the artificial environment and finds in the construction of space the answer to the way of being-in-the-world1. We are motivated to understand what this space is; in which conjunctures it appears, how human beings perceive and experience it, and how its construction is understood and practiced. Considering six different authors, among them architects, professors and critics - Juhani Pallasmaa, Luiz Santamaria, Herman Hertzberger, Jacques Lucan, Hans Van der Laan and Rudolf Arnheim -, this study evokes the experience of architecture as a spatial and existential one, the perception of physical and symbolic matter, and the problems of the architecture activity and the teaching/learning of the discipline as a system/method. This theoretical project, therefore, intersect the six authors, the restlessness resulted from the last few years as an architecture student and the motivation (or innocence) to face architecture as a discipline capable of provoking in human being the consciousness of existing and inhabit the world

Avaliação da resposta de lince-ibérico (Lynx pardinus, Temminck 1827) à presence humana, face a diferentes métodos de preparação para reintrodução

Tese de mestrado. Biologia (Biologia da Conservação). Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências, 2014O lince-ibérico (Lynx pardinus, Temminck 1827) é um carnívoro endémico da Península Ibérica, que se encontra exclusivamente em zonas de bosque e mato mediterrâneo. O coelho-bravo (Oryctolagus cuniculus, Linnaeus 1758) é a sua presa base. Uma das ameaças a esta espécie, classificada como “Criticamente em Perigo” pelo IUCN, é a mortalidade não-natural, como os atropelamentos ou as armadilhas. Dado o provável cenário de extinção em Portugal, foi aprovado o Plano de Ação para a Conservação Ex-situ do Lince-ibérico. Uma das medidas do plano consistia na construção do Centro Nacional de Reprodução do Lince-Ibérico (CNRLI), em Silves. De modo a cumprir os objetivos definidos pelo “Programa de Conservação Ex-situ do Lince-ibérico”, o CNRLI comprometeu-se a preparar crias para reintrodução ou reforço populacional de núcleos já existentes. O CNRLI aplica métodos de fornecimento das presas que estimulam o seu comportamento predatório, e técnicas de maneio que fomentam condutas de fuga e aversão a humanos de modo a aumentar a probabilidade de sobrevivência das crias no meio natural. De modo a atualizar a informação regente no “Manual de Maneio do Lince-ibérico 2012”, é necessário avaliar quais os métodos mais eficazes em condicionar as crias a evitar a presença humana. É nesse contexto que surge o tema desta tese, tendo como principal objetivo avaliar a resposta das crias de lince-ibérico à presença humana, quando aplicados diferentes métodos de preparação para a reintrodução, relacionados com a hora e local de fornecimento das presas. A recolha de dados decorreu durante dois meses, tanto para a temporada de 2012/2013, como para a temporada de 2013/2014, e foi efetuada no CNRLI. Concluiu-se que os métodos mais eficazes são fornecer as presas na manilha do marouço e disponibilizá-las a horas aleatórias. Estes métodos evitam a habituação das crias à presença dos tratadores e associam a presença destes a estímulos aversivos. Espera-se que a preparação das crias recorrendo a estes métodos faça com que estas evitem os ambientes humanizados reduzindo a mortalidade por causas antropogénicas.The Iberian Lynx (Lynx pardinus, Temminck 1827) is an endemic carnivore from the Iberian Peninsula and is found exclusively in the Mediterranean scrubland. The European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus Linnaeus 1758) is its main prey. One of the threats to this species, classified by IUCN as "Critically Endangered", is the non-natural mortality such as road kills or traps. Given the probable scenario of extinction in Portugal, the Action Plan for Ex-situ Conservation of the Iberian Lynx was approved. One of the actions of this plan was the construction of the National Breeding Centre of the Iberian Lynx (CNRLI) in Silves. In order to meet the goals set by the Iberian Lynx Ex situ Conservation Programme, the CNRLI committed to prepare cubs for reintroduction or reinforcement of existing population nuclei. The CNRLI applies methods of prey supply that foster development of predatory behavior and husbandry techniques that stimulate escape behavior and aversion to humans, in order to increase the probability of survival of the offspring in the wild. In order to update the existing information in “Manual de Maneio do Lince-ibérico 2012”, it is essential to assess which method is more effective to condition the cubs to avoid human presence. The theme of the thesis arises in this context, with the main objective of evaluating the response of the Iberian Lynx to human presence with different methods of preparation for reintroduction, related to the time and place of supply of prey. Data were collected for two month periods, for both the season of 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 at CNRLI. It was concluded that the most effective methods are providing prey in artificial warrens from the exterior of the enclosure and having the prey available at random hours. These methods prevent habituation of the offspring to the presence of keepers and associate the presence of these to aversive stimuli. When exposed to these methods, it is expected that cubs learn how to avoid humanized environments, reducing mortality from anthropogenic causes

Convenient Synthesis of 3-Vinyl and

A variety of 2-hydroxy aldehydes on reaction with 3-butenoic acid afford in a one-pot reaction the corresponding 3-vinylcoumarins. As expected, extension of the delocalized π-electron system accomplished by Heck coupling reactions with aryl halides results in an increased fluorescence of the compounds whose applicability is yet to be established

A Diagonal Movement Pattern of Arm Elevation and Depression in Overhead Throwing Athletes: An Exploratory Kinematic Analysis for Clinical Application

Assessing scapular position and motion during functional arm movement patterns may add relevant information to the evaluation of the clinical status and athletic performance of overhead sports athletes’ shoulders. This study aimed to examine the three-dimensional scapular kinematics of elite volleyball players with (n = 11) and without scapular dyskinesis (n = 11) in comparison to non-athletes (n = 27). Four distinct arm elevation/depression tasks were assessed: shoulder abduction/adduction, flexion/extension, scaption, and a diagonal movement pattern mimicking throwing (proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation diagonal 2 for flexion/extension or PNF–D2– flx/ext). Kinematic data was recorded from the spiking/dominant shoulder using an electromagnetic system (FASTRAK, Polhemus Inc., Colchester, VT, USA); MotionMonitor v9 software, Innovative Sports Training, Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). The study compared scapular rotations at 15◦ intervals of humero-thoracic (HT) angles, ranging from minimum to 120◦. Significantly different 3D scapular kinematics were observed between traditional arm motion tasks and PNF–D2 arm motion task (HT angle × task interaction effect, p < 0.001, 0.275 ≤ η2p ≤ 0.772). However, when considering the combined influence of phase, HT angle, task, and group factors, no differences were found between groups (phase × HT angle × task × group, p ≥ 0.161, 0.032 ≤ η2p ≤ 0.058). The inclusion of a functional arm movement pattern when evaluating scapular position and movement in overhead athletes does not appear to be mandatory. However, these findings are preliminary and highlight the need for more research in this area.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Against all odds: a tale of marine range expansion with maintenance of extremely high genetic diversity

The displacement of species from equatorial latitudes to temperate locations following the increase in sea surface temperatures is among the significant reported consequences of climate change. Shifts in the distributional ranges of species result in fish communities tropicalisation, i.e., high latitude colonisations by typically low latitude distribution species. These movements create new interactions between species and new trophic assemblages. The Senegal seabream, Diplodus bellottii, may be used as a model to understand the population genetics of these invasions. In the last decades, this species has undergone an outstanding range expansion from its African area of origin to the Atlantic coast of the Iberian Peninsula, where now occurs abundantly. Mitochondrial and nuclear markers revealed a striking high haplotypic nucleotide and genetic diversity values, along with significant population differentiation throughout the present-day geographical range of the Senegal seabream. These results are not consistent with the central-marginal hypothesis, nor with the expectations of a leptokurtic distribution of individuals, as D. bellottii seems to be able to retain exceptional levels of diversity in marginal and recently colonised areas. We discuss possible causes for hyperdiversity and lack of geographical structure and subsequent implications for fisheries.Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology: UID/MAR/04292/2019/ UID/Multi/04326/2019info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Mutation rate of SARS-CoV-2 and emergence of mutators during experimental evolution

Funding: M.A. was supported by ‘Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia’ (FCT), fellowships PD/BD/138735/2018. Research was supported by FCT Project PTDC/BIA-EVL/31528/2017 to I.G. and by funds from Portuguese NIH.Background and objectives: To understand how organisms evolve, it is fundamental to study how mutations emerge and establish. Here, we estimated the rate of mutation accumulation of SARS-CoV-2 in vitro and investigated the repeatability of its evolution when facing a new cell type but no immune or drug pressures. Methodology: We performed experimental evolution with two strains of SARS-CoV-2, one carrying the originally described spike protein (CoV-2-D) and another carrying the D614G mutation that has spread worldwide (CoV-2-G). After 15 passages in Vero cells and whole genome sequencing, we characterized the spectrum and rate of the emerging mutations and looked for evidences of selection across the genomes of both strains. Results: From the frequencies of the mutations accumulated, and excluding the genes with signals of selection, we estimate a spontaneous mutation rate of 1.3 × 10-6 ± 0.2 × 10-6 per-base per-infection cycle (mean across both lineages of SARS-CoV-2 ± 2SEM). We further show that mutation accumulation is larger in the CoV-2-D lineage and heterogeneous along the genome, consistent with the action of positive selection on the spike protein, which accumulated five times more mutations than the corresponding genomic average. We also observe the emergence of mutators in the CoV-2-G background, likely linked to mutations in the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and/or in the error-correcting exonuclease protein. Conclusions and implications: These results provide valuable information on how spontaneous mutations emerge in SARS-CoV-2 and on how selection can shape its genome toward adaptation to new environments. Lay Summary: Each time a virus replicates inside a cell, errors (mutations) occur. Here, via laboratory propagation in cells originally isolated from the kidney epithelium of African green monkeys, we estimated the rate at which the SARS-CoV-2 virus mutates - an important parameter for understanding how it can evolve within and across humans. We also confirm the potential of its Spike protein to adapt to a new environment and report the emergence of mutators - viral populations where mutations occur at a significantly faster rate.publishersversionpublishe

Aceitabilidade e viabilidade da intervenção OnTRACK para a promoção da atividade física em pessoas com doença pulmonar obstrutiva crónica

Introdução: As estratégias atuais para a promoção de atividade física (AF) em pessoas com doença pulmonar obstrutiva crónica (DPOC) têm mostrado resultados inconsistentes. O uso de plataformas digitais para treino (coaching) de AF tem o potencial de acompanhar remotamente o doente e proporcionar feedback regular sem sobrecarregar os serviços de saúde, podendo alcançar um maior número de doentes. A plataforma digital OnTRACK (ref. POCI-01-0145-FEDER-028446) integra uma aplicação móvel, dirigida a doentes, que intercomunica com uma aplicação web, acessível aos profissionais de saúde, para definir metas individualizadas, monitorizar a progressão da AF e dar feedback motivacional. A OnTRACK foi desenvolvida atendendo às necessidades e expectativas dos utilizadores finais para facilitar a sua adesão a longo prazo, porém nunca foi testada em contexto de prática clínica. Objetivo: Avaliar a aceitabilidade e viabilidade (clínica e económica) da intervenção OnTRACK na promoção de AF na DPOC. Métodos: Este é um estudo de métodos mistos. O recrutamento de doentes clinicamente estáveis com DPOC decorrerá durante 2 semanas numa unidade de saúde do Centro. A avaliação inicial incluirá, o estado clínico (e.g., limitação do fluxo aéreo: espirometria, impacto da doença: COPD Assessment Test), desempenho físico (e.g., teste de marcha dos 6 minutos), estadio de mudança (e.g., Questionário de Mudança Comportamental) e AF habitual (acelerómetro Actigraph GT3X+, 7 dias). A média dos dados de AF desses 7 dias servirá de base para estabelecer a meta inicial de AF (passos/dia) através da OnTRACK. Os doentes levarão para casa a aplicação móvel, onde poderão acompanhar a progressão de AF e verificar o (não)cumprimento da meta definida. Semanalmente, receberão um contacto telefónico de um profissional de saúde para definirem a meta da semana seguinte, considerando o nível de autoconfiança do doente [0–10], até um máximo de 10% aumento. Após 6 semanas, os doentes farão uma nova avaliação, que incluirá as medidas da avaliação inicial, um focus group e um questionário de aceitabilidade da intervenção. Serão analisadas taxas de recrutamento e atrito (não-utilização, desistência e motivos), possíveis efeitos adversos (segurança) e custos da intervenção. Discussão: Os dados da aceitabilidade informarão ajustes necessários à intervenção. Conclusão: Este estudo permitirá avaliar a viabilidade e aceitabilidade da intervenção OnTRACK, para posterior implementação num estudo randomizado e controlado.publishe

SARS-CoV-2 introductions and early dynamics of the epidemic in Portugal

Genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in Portugal was rapidly implemented by the National Institute of Health in the early stages of the COVID-19 epidemic, in collaboration with more than 50 laboratories distributed nationwide. Methods By applying recent phylodynamic models that allow integration of individual-based travel history, we reconstructed and characterized the spatio-temporal dynamics of SARSCoV-2 introductions and early dissemination in Portugal. Results We detected at least 277 independent SARS-CoV-2 introductions, mostly from European countries (namely the United Kingdom, Spain, France, Italy, and Switzerland), which were consistent with the countries with the highest connectivity with Portugal. Although most introductions were estimated to have occurred during early March 2020, it is likely that SARS-CoV-2 was silently circulating in Portugal throughout February, before the first cases were confirmed. Conclusions Here we conclude that the earlier implementation of measures could have minimized the number of introductions and subsequent virus expansion in Portugal. This study lays the foundation for genomic epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in Portugal, and highlights the need for systematic and geographically-representative genomic surveillance.We gratefully acknowledge to Sara Hill and Nuno Faria (University of Oxford) and Joshua Quick and Nick Loman (University of Birmingham) for kindly providing us with the initial sets of Artic Network primers for NGS; Rafael Mamede (MRamirez team, IMM, Lisbon) for developing and sharing a bioinformatics script for sequence curation (https://github.com/rfm-targa/BioinfUtils); Philippe Lemey (KU Leuven) for providing guidance on the implementation of the phylodynamic models; Joshua L. Cherry (National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health) for providing guidance with the subsampling strategies; and all authors, originating and submitting laboratories who have contributed genome data on GISAID (https://www.gisaid.org/) on which part of this research is based. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not reflect the view of the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Health and Human Services, or the United States government. This study is co-funded by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia and Agência de Investigação Clínica e Inovação Biomédica (234_596874175) on behalf of the Research 4 COVID-19 call. Some infrastructural resources used in this study come from the GenomePT project (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-022184), supported by COMPETE 2020 - Operational Programme for Competitiveness and Internationalisation (POCI), Lisboa Portugal Regional Operational Programme (Lisboa2020), Algarve Portugal Regional Operational Programme (CRESC Algarve2020), under the PORTUGAL 2020 Partnership Agreement, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Hyperoxemia and excess oxygen use in early acute respiratory distress syndrome : Insights from the LUNG SAFE study

Publisher Copyright: © 2020 The Author(s). Copyright: Copyright 2020 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.Background: Concerns exist regarding the prevalence and impact of unnecessary oxygen use in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We examined this issue in patients with ARDS enrolled in the Large observational study to UNderstand the Global impact of Severe Acute respiratory FailurE (LUNG SAFE) study. Methods: In this secondary analysis of the LUNG SAFE study, we wished to determine the prevalence and the outcomes associated with hyperoxemia on day 1, sustained hyperoxemia, and excessive oxygen use in patients with early ARDS. Patients who fulfilled criteria of ARDS on day 1 and day 2 of acute hypoxemic respiratory failure were categorized based on the presence of hyperoxemia (PaO2 > 100 mmHg) on day 1, sustained (i.e., present on day 1 and day 2) hyperoxemia, or excessive oxygen use (FIO2 ≥ 0.60 during hyperoxemia). Results: Of 2005 patients that met the inclusion criteria, 131 (6.5%) were hypoxemic (PaO2 < 55 mmHg), 607 (30%) had hyperoxemia on day 1, and 250 (12%) had sustained hyperoxemia. Excess FIO2 use occurred in 400 (66%) out of 607 patients with hyperoxemia. Excess FIO2 use decreased from day 1 to day 2 of ARDS, with most hyperoxemic patients on day 2 receiving relatively low FIO2. Multivariate analyses found no independent relationship between day 1 hyperoxemia, sustained hyperoxemia, or excess FIO2 use and adverse clinical outcomes. Mortality was 42% in patients with excess FIO2 use, compared to 39% in a propensity-matched sample of normoxemic (PaO2 55-100 mmHg) patients (P = 0.47). Conclusions: Hyperoxemia and excess oxygen use are both prevalent in early ARDS but are most often non-sustained. No relationship was found between hyperoxemia or excessive oxygen use and patient outcome in this cohort. Trial registration: LUNG-SAFE is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02010073publishersversionPeer reviewe

New Methodology for the Synthesis of 3-Stiryl Coumarins

Coumarins, a common motif in a variety of naturally occurring compounds, have attracted intense interest in recent years due to their diverse pharmacological properties, namely as anticoagulant, antimicrobial, antibacterial, anticancer, anti-HIV and antioxidant.1 Moreover, these series of compounds rises to one of the most extensively investigated and commercially significant groups due to their outstanding optical properties.2 We have recently reported a particularly useful, easy and concise synthesis of diversified 3-aryl coumarin using Heck coupling reactions between coumarin and aryliodides.3 The introduction of the aryl moiety occurred regioselective at the 3-position of the heteroaromatic ring. With the objective to increase the delocalized -electron system, new vinyl and stiryl coumarin derivatives with potential industrial applications, such as new antioxidants and fluorescent chemosensors, were developed by a simple and efficient synthetic strategy. Starting from readily available aldehydes the coupling reaction with 3-butenoic acid allowed the preparation in a one-pot reaction of diverse 3 vinyl coumarins. Extension of the -electron system was achieved using palladium cross-coupling reactions between aryl iodides and vinyl coumarins. The results will be presented and discussed in relation to the influence of the aryl substituents on the yields and spectroscopic properties of the compounds